EPDM Rubber Roofing › Pontypridd › Guide
The membrane gets the attention, but on a Pontypridd flat roof the deck decides how well EPDM performs. A soft board or a hollow where water collects will show through eventually, however good the rubber is. This guide sets out what we check and prepare before laying the sheet. Local conditions are used lightly, as every roof differs.
A sound deck first
We look for soft, stained, delaminating or poorly fixed boards, usually found along edges, around outlets and where an old leak has been. Anything rotten is cut out and replaced with new boards, fixed securely to the joists. Damp timber under a new membrane carries on rotting, so we do not cover it, whatever the roof looks like on top. Ask for the reasoning in plain words, and expect a straight answer.
Falls and drainage
A flat roof is never truly flat. It needs a gentle fall toward an outlet or gutter so water leaves, and where the deck has dipped, water sits and strains the membrane and seams. We check the falls and outlets, and where they are poor we correct them with tapered boards or firring, so ponding is not left to cause trouble later. We keep the explanation plain and tell you what we see on your own roof.
Removing the old covering
Old felt or other coverings are usually stripped back to the deck so we can see what lies beneath. Staples, nails and rough edges are removed, and the surface is brushed clean. On small garage or porch roofs this is quick, but on dormer flats access is tight and the work is done with care around the surrounding tiles.
- Old covering stripped back to the bare deck
- Nails, staples and debris removed
- Surface swept clean and left dry
- Edges and upstands made ready for new trims
Insulation and moisture
Where the roof is over a heated room, insulation and a vapour control layer matter, because warm air can carry moisture into the deck. We look at what is already there and explain what is sensible for your roof. Suitable boards are fixed so that the surface is flat and firm, giving the adhesive a proper base to bond to. We keep the explanation plain and tell you what we see on your own roof.
Edges, upstands and the final check
Before laying the sheet we check that the edges are firm, that upstands against walls are sound and that trims have something solid to fix to. A dry surface is essential, so we choose the weather carefully. On valley roofs that stay damp, we would rather wait a day than bond to a damp board. Ask for the reasoning in plain words, and expect a straight answer.
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More Guides for Pontypridd
Common Questions
Do I always need a new deck before EPDM?
No. If the existing boards are sound, dry and fixed well, they can be kept. We check the whole deck and replace only the areas that are soft, rotten or loose, so you pay for what the roof actually needs.
Can EPDM go straight over old felt?
Usually we strip the old covering so we can inspect the deck and give the adhesive a clean surface. Covering over felt hides defects and can trap moisture, so we prefer to remove it and see what is underneath.
Why does the deck need falls?
Water that cannot drain sits on the membrane and puts stress on seams and edges. A gentle fall toward the outlet keeps the roof drier. If your deck has dipped, we correct it as part of the preparation.
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Tell us what the roof is doing in Pontypridd and we will look at it. Call 07766 547309, message us on WhatsApp or use the form below.